How cops shut down an interstate pot operation that ex-Franklin assistant DAs were running

A former assistant district attorney in Franklin will serve two years of supervised probation for felony drug charges brought against her and another attorney earlier this year.

Georgia Felner was indicted on charges of sale of a schedule VI controlled substance and delivery of a schedule VI controlled substance, both class E felonies, in January. Franklin attorney Sandra Wells was also charged with two felonies.

Both women previously worked for the district attorney's office in the 21st Judicial District, and were working as private attorneys in Williamson County at the time of their arrests.

Sandra Wells(Photo: FPD)

One of Felner's charges was dismissed. She was granted judicial diversion for the other charge, which means she can have it expunged from her record after completing the two years of probation.

Documents detail pot-smuggling operation

New court documents from Felner's case show that Wells worked with Franklin police as an informant, leading to Felner's arrest.

On Jan. 5, Felner sold Wells concentrated THC oil, liquid concentrated THC cartridges and cannabis-infused candy known as "gummies," while Wells was working as an informant, according to a pre-sentencing investigation report by the Tennessee Department of Correction.

Wells also paid Felner an outstanding debt of $1,880 during the transaction, which was provided to her by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

The transaction was video and audio recorded. Felner was indicted three days later.

The investigation found that Felner had bought the drugs in Colorado last December, then shipped three packages containing them to Tennessee via FedEx.

It's unclear if Felner sold the substances to anyone other than Wells, who was approached by police in the days leading up to the drug sale.

An evidence form from a search warrant carried out by Franklin police on Dec. 29, 2017, showed an array of items recovered at Wells' home.

The findings included a container with THC wax, drug paraphernalia, several jars of marijuana, two guns, THC vapor cartridges, unidentified pills and more than 20 alprazolam pills, also known as Xanax.

'Convictions for the guilty'

During her time in the district attorney's office, Felner worked as a DUI prosecutor, leaving in 2007. Her position was funded by a grant from the Governor's Highway Safety Office.

In its March 2007 issue of "DUI News," the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference thanked Felner for her work.

"Georgia pushed for and brought an effective alcohol education program to her county jail," the publication said of Felner. "She insisted on convictions for the guilty. Ninety-one percent of those charged with DUI in Williamson County in FY 2005-2006 were convicted."

In its March 2007 issue of "DUI News," the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference thanked Felner for her work as a DUI prosecutor in Williamson County.(Photo: Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference)

It's unclear whether the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility, which is tasked with protecting the public from unethical lawyers, will take any disciplinary action against Felner or Wells.

Complaints received by or investigations conducted by the board are kept confidential unless it decides to file formal disciplinary charges or impose some form of public discipline, said Sandy Garrett, chief disciplinary counsel for the board.